To handle a my Social Security account login, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and sign in with either a Login.gov or ID.me credential. Those are the only two sign-in options as of June 2025, when the SSA retired its older username-and-password system.1Social Security Administration. Learn About Changes We’re Making to Your Personal My Social Security Account If you used to log in with an SSA-specific username, that credential no longer works, and you’ll need to create a Login.gov or ID.me account before you can get back into your dashboard. Setup takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you have a photo ID and your Social Security number on hand.
Login.gov or ID.me: Which to Choose
Either credential gets you into the same SSA dashboard, and you only need one of them.1Social Security Administration. Learn About Changes We’re Making to Your Personal My Social Security Account The practical difference is which ID documents each provider accepts and where you live.
Login.gov accepts a state driver’s license or state ID card for identity verification. It does not currently accept a U.S. passport.2Login.gov. Verify Your Identity in Person ID.me accepts a wider range, including a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. or foreign passport, and a U.S. permanent resident card.3ID.me. Primary and Secondary Identification Documents If you don’t have a state-issued driver’s license or ID, ID.me is the better fit. If you live outside the United States, ID.me is your only option — Login.gov does not support international addresses.4Social Security Administration. Service Around the World
To create either credential and use the my Social Security account, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and have a valid email address and a Social Security number.5Social Security Administration. Retirement Benefits
What to Have Ready Before You Start
- A government-issued photo ID that matches your provider’s accepted list.
- Your nine-digit Social Security number, which appears on your Social Security card, prior W-2s, and tax returns.
- A personal email address you’ll keep long-term, not a work address you could lose access to.
- A phone number that can receive text messages for authentication codes. Login.gov also allows authentication apps and security keys as alternatives.6Login.gov. Create an Account
Your information is cross-checked against federal records, so names, dates, and numbers need to match exactly. Providing false information to a federal agency is a felony carrying up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 1001 – Statements or Entries Generally8Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 3571 – Sentence of Fine
Creating Your Account
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select “Create an Account.”9Social Security Administration. Create an Account Choose either Login.gov or ID.me. The SSA site hands you off to that provider to finish setup, then hands you back.
On Login.gov, you’ll enter your email, create a password of at least 12 characters, and set up an authentication method. To verify your identity, you upload or scan a state driver’s license or ID card and enter your Social Security number.6Login.gov. Create an Account
On ID.me, the flow is similar. Verification may happen through a self-guided photo process, or through a live video call with an agent if the automated check doesn’t clear.3ID.me. Primary and Secondary Identification Documents
Once your identity is confirmed, the provider generates a secure link back to the SSA. You accept the terms of service, and the account is live. Future logins skip the ID verification entirely.
Signing In to an Account You Already Have
Go to ssa.gov/myaccount, click “Sign In,” and pick the credential provider you used at setup. Enter your email and password, then complete multi-factor authentication. The SSA sends a one-time security code by text message or email, depending on the method you chose during registration.10Social Security Administration. More Information About Multifactor Authentication
With Login.gov, you may also have the option to authenticate with face or touch unlock, a security key, or an authenticator app instead of a texted code.6Login.gov. Create an Account Once the code or the authentication clears, your dashboard opens for that session.
If You Can’t Get Back In
A forgotten password is the simplest problem. Use the “Forgot Password” link on your credential provider’s login page and follow the reset email.
A changed phone number is harder, because you can no longer receive the authentication code. Login.gov may ask you to re-verify your identity with your photo ID. ID.me may require a video call with a live agent to restore access.
If digital recovery doesn’t work, you’ll need to visit a Social Security office in person to prove your identity and get access back.11Social Security Administration. What to Know About Proving Your Identity In-person visits require an appointment. Call 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET) to schedule one before you go.12Social Security Administration. Contact Social Security Bring a government-issued photo ID. If your primary ID isn’t available, the SSA accepts alternatives such as an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card, or military ID, as long as the document is current, shows your name, and includes identifying information like your date of birth.13Social Security Administration. Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get a Social Security Card
Logging In From Outside the United States
Your account still works abroad, but only through ID.me. Even if you originally set up Login.gov while living in the U.S., you’ll need to create an ID.me credential after moving overseas. During registration, use the “I don’t live in the United States” link on the ID.me identity verification screen.4Social Security Administration. Service Around the World
Most online services work the same way from a foreign address, but some are restricted. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you cannot change your direct deposit, request a replacement Social Security card, or change your address online. The SSA also cannot mail benefit verification letters or replacement tax forms to a foreign address, though you can view, print, or save those documents directly from the portal.4Social Security Administration. Service Around the World